S&W 624vs 629 build?

[Changeling]

Is there any difference between the 4" 624 and 629 relative to the internal mechanisms/mechanics/strength? They are both "N" Frame hand guns!

I do not mean the barrel contour or the caliber/revolver, 44 special/44mag.

Are there weight differences, or other differences other than the cylinder size?
The differenciences between the two are confusing to me. Can someone please explain?

 

[Nemo288]

Build quality of 44's from the mid 80's is all over the place.
I do believe the magnums are a little better fit than the specials.
All of them from that era have HUGE cylinder throats; .433"
Newer (and older) Smiths are better built IMHO and more accurate with .430 bullets.
Of the 3 624s, I would say the 4" shoots best and the 3" is the best fit.
I can not address such things as differences in metallugy (if any).
Sorry if this does not answer your question directly.

___
Nemo

 

[poordevil]

I have the 624 with 4" BBL and think it is a very fine gun. My understanding is that there is no difference in frame strength or metallurgy vs the 629. I have shot many Elmer loads out of it and never a sign of over pressure. As I don t need heavy loads often, I am happy with the .44 special and do not own a .44 Mag.

 

[Changeling]

I was hoping to see a lot more commentary on accuracy between the two, witch (-) models were the best for hand gun quality, accuracy potential between the two, etc,.

I appreciate Nemo288 and poordevil replies very much.

I was hoping for more input on the subject. Is there another forum I can get extended information from ? If so please give me a link.

 

[Nemo288]

I hate to be flippant, and don't mean to be, but the choice between the
special and magnum should be more related to the ultimate use of the weapon.
Magnums, especially the 44 (and up), are really only needed when you need
to shoot something like deer sized game (and up).
The special is supposed to be inherently more accurate due to its dimensions.
The special also is more suited to urban defense and any task up to taking deer.

Any revolver can be made to shoot well if it is loaded with the right ammo.
As I mentioned in the previous post, this is going to involve the largest diameter
44 bullets you can find when loading a 624.
Bullets measuring .433 can be had but are not as common as the .429-.430.
Most 629s from the 80's will need this treatment too.

Think about what you really want/need. Then read up on cast bullet accuracy in revolvers.

The pursuit of accuracy in revolvers is a never ending process which is why it's such a great hobby.

Currently my most accurate combos are the plated Rainier 240 in a 696
and a CP 260 WFNGC in a Redhawk.

Not looking for any flak here, but I consider both to be better "built" than any 624 (and I have all 3).

There is no real answer to your original question because the 629 has been made for so many
years in so many versions.
Some just happen to be made better than others and the cylinder throats are all over the place.


===
Nemo

 

[jtcarm]

Build quality of 44's from the mid 80's is all over the place.

I do believe the magnums are a little better fit than the specials.

All of them from that era have HUGE cylinder throats; .433"

Newer (and older) Smiths are better built IMHO and more accurate with .430 bullets.

Of the 3 624s, I would say the 4" shoots best and the 3" is the best fit.

I can not address such things as differences in metallugy (if any).

Sorry if this does not answer your question directly.



___

Nemo

I agree about 80s quality, but I don't know how anyone can say empirically the magnums were better or which barrel lengths were better without controlled, exhaustive testing.

My 6.5" 624 was wicked-accurate. I wish now I'd kept it instead of my 4" 24-3.

I do agree current production is better, with much more consistent dimensions. I dunno that anything from early 60s on was though. Pretty much anything that came in a Bangor-Punta or Lear-Siegler box was hit-or-miss.

I also don't think there's any evidence to prove the .44 special is any more accurate than the magnum, or really any other straight-walled revolver case with a similar bore-to-volume ratio.

Still not sure I get the point of this post, though.

 

[Changeling]

Thanks for the information. I didn't know these 2 models had .433 or larger cylinder throats. I already have expensive molds and die set for the the .44 and don't want to have multiple sets because a manufacture can't drill 6 holes correctly!

It was enough trouble finding a Ruger BH (.45 Colt) and SBH (.44) with throats small enough that I could have them rebored to correct dimensions in relation to bore.

I also have no interest in the new models with a safety lock. This has to be one of the most rediculious things in the world! Maybe the NRA should get Obama to have them put on all military firearms. Lets see how that would go over!

Sorry for the rant!

 

[Eaglestroker]

My most accurate 44 spcl shooter, is my 629-6 (2.5" Backpacker variant) strangely enough. I have a 3" 24-3, 624, 29, 696 x 2, and a 4" 29. They all shoot 'well enough' but the 696's and that 629-6 are lights out for me.

I'm sure that is only more confusing

 

[Changeling]

No it's not confusing at all Eaglestroker you simply stated the models you have and what has shot mot accurately for you.
You mention the 696 and 629-6 as being "lights out for me", I take it this means they shoot very well for you.
What is the barrel length on your 696? What were the throat sizes?

I have never owned a S&W revolver and thought it was about time I looked into the purchase of one. I want a 4" barrel because they don't make a 5" barrel and a 6 " is to long . I like the 5" barrel length, it feels right to me!

On the "Boolits, cast Bullets forum" is where I started looking for information on S&W revolvers. It was implied there (several members) that the 624 was an extremely accurate revolver, however nothing was mentioned about the build quality being shody and the throats being .433 or larger.

As for usage, I want it as a bedside revolver (don't like autos) and a walking revolver on excursions where I might want to protect myself/shoot a ground hog/hog/deer/whatever, in other words my personal piece.
I think the .44 is a perfect caliber for this (don't need a Mag)! However if the Mag (629) was a better quality revolver of cource I would go for it, just shoot .44 special.

I hope you understand>

I just wish I knew where/what the heck I do now. Nemo kinda blew out my candle.

 

[poordevil]

The 240 gr lead SWC bullets I have used were .430. I also used Remington brand 180 gr SJHP, don t remember the size. I have no complaints with that pistol. Very accurate and very happy with it.

 

[chipking]

I just picked up a 1986 vintage 624 4" this past weekend and my buddy and I took it out to the range yesterday. A real treat with 8" of rutted snow on the 3/4 mile long "lane" getting down to the pistol ranges. Using my old standby load of 7 grains of Unique behind a SNS casting .430 240 grain SWC my buddy fired a offhand 25 yard 5 shot group of less than 1 inch center to center the first time he shot the gun. Oh by the way that was double action to boot. I was able to stay in the 2 to 3 inch range which was very acceptable for me at this stage in my life.
In total we put 90 rounds through the 624 and had no leading. 4 brush strokes and a wet patch with corrosion-x followed by a dry patch left a spotless bore.
This is the fourth 624 that I have owned and 3 were some of the most accurate pistols I ever shot and 1 was the worst. For whatever reason I could not get that one to shoot anything cast or jacketed accurately.
Just proving once again that each pistol is a law unto itself.
Have I measured the throats? NO nor will I. I will just shoot it and enjoy while my model 29 mountain gun patiently waits it's turn on the line.
Chip King

 

[mc5aw]

If you're only shooting Specials, either model will serve you well.

 

[TAROMAN]

My most accurate 44 spcl shooter, is my 629-6 (2.5" Backpacker variant) strangely enough. I have a 3" 24-3, 624, 29, 696 x 2, and a 4" 29. They all shoot 'well enough' but the 696's and that 629-6 are lights out for me.

I'm sure that is only more confusing

My experience exactly.
Little 3" 696-1 with its .431 throats is a much better shooter than any of my 624s (3", 4" and 6-1/2") with their .433 throats.
Got some larger sized bullets from Penn that did help, however.